ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's soccer team won their ninth Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championship with a 2-1 win over Pitt-Bradford in the title game on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions (15-5-1) won their third straight conference championship and second consecutive over the Panthers (13-6-1). Sam Pace (Erie, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 53rd minute off an assist from Alex Bilka (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) to help punch Behrend's ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
"I am really happy for and extremely proud of this group of players," said head coach Patrick O'Driscoll. "They worked hard all year and reached the goal they set for themselves."
Melissa Smith had the goal for Pitt-Bradford in the second half off a direct kick from Jamie Christensen, but the Panthers could not find the equalizer in the remaining 23 minutes of play.
The first goal of the game went to the Lions. Allison Lonas (Johnstown, PA/Conemaugh Township) fired a shot from the top of the box that ricocheted off the crossbar and the Pitt-Bradford defender headed the ball into the goal on the clear attempt at the 8:26 mark.
With a 1-0 lead at halftime, Behrend grabbed the 2-0 advantage seven minutes into the second stanza. Bilka used her speed and skill to get the ball past the defenders and goalie Danielle Erdley in the box, leaving Pace to a wide open net for a two-goal cushion.
Taylor Troyan (Butler, PA/Butler) had five big stops in the game, including a leaping save with 25 minutes left to send the ball over the crossbar to avoid going in the net.
In the 68th minute, Pitt-Bradford cut the lead by one however the Lions buckled down on defense to secure the championship.
